Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
Oil prices rose slightly in Asian trade on Friday but are set for a muted weekly finish as concerns over slowing U.S. demand and rising supply weighed on the market. Brent crude futures for November inched up 0.1% to $67.53 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 0.1% to $63.31. Both benchmarks gained around 1% for the week, reflecting mixed signals on global demand and supply outlook.
A stronger U.S. dollar—rebounding from three-year lows despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates—limited oil’s upside. The Fed signaled further rate cuts ahead, which could support long-term demand, but markets remained cautious as the U.S. labor market showed signs of cooling. Seasonal weakness in fuel consumption during the winter also raised doubts about sustained demand.
Geopolitical risks added volatility, with tensions between Russia and Ukraine fueling speculation about potential supply disruptions. However, optimism was tempered by fresh inventory data showing a sharp rise in U.S. distillate stockpiles, raising fears of weaker consumption.
On the supply side, Kazakhstan resumed exports through the Baku-Tbilsi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline after resolving contamination issues. This key route boosts Kazakhstan’s ability to export oil independently of Russia. Meanwhile, Nigeria lifted emergency rule in Rivers State, a vital oil hub previously plagued by militant attacks on pipelines. The move is expected to stabilize production and exports.
Market attention also turned to possible U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil and its buyers, after President Donald Trump acknowledged difficulties in ceasefire negotiations. Traders are balancing risks of disrupted supply against concerns of oversupply in coming quarters.
Overall, crude prices remain rangebound as investors weigh slowing U.S. demand, rising inventories, stronger dollar pressures, and shifting global supply dynamics.
